Oxford/AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine may get emergency use authorisation in India by next week

The Oxford/AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine is likely to get authorisation for emergency use in India by next week after its manufacturer, the Serum Institute of India (SII), submitted additional data sought by authorities, Reuters reported on Tuesday by quoting two sources.

The sources declined to be named as deliberations were ongoing and the timeline could change.

The AstraZeneca-Oxford shot is considered vital for lower-income and hot countries because it is cheaper, easier to transport and can be stored for long periods at normal fridge temperatures.

As reported by National Herald, India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had reviewed applications submitted by SII, Pfizer and Bharat Biotech on December 9 and sought more information from all the companies, including from Serum Institute of India (SII), which is making the AstraZeneca shots.

SII, the world’s biggest vaccine manufacturer, has now provided all the data, two sources said, as per a report carried by The Wire.

Both sources said Indian health officials were in direct contact with their British counterparts over the AstraZeneca shot and that there were “strong indications” an approval would come by next week.

India has not yet signed a vaccine supply deal with any company, but SII has already stockpiled more than 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca shot and plans to make a total of 400 million doses by July.